Ibadan Circular Road: Oyo pays N5.35 billion compensation to 578 property owners

The Oyo State Government has distributed over N5.35 billion in compensation to 578 property owners impacted by the initial phase of Ibadan Circular Road. Mrs Mofoluke Adebiyi, the Executive Adviser on New Towns and Cities, revealed this in a statement by Dr Suleimon Olanrewaju, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, on Sunday in Ibadan, according to NAN.

The payments span properties affected by the 32.2-kilometre stretch from the Abiola Ajimobi Technical University area along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, traversing Ona Ara, to Badeku Junction in Egbeda Local Government Area. Of the 578 beneficiaries, 378 are under the Right of Way category, while 200 fall under the Omission category.

Adebiyi disclosed that Governor Seyi Makinde allocated N3.86 billion for Right of Way claimants and N1.81 billion for Omission claimants. The compensation process has been conducted transparently and fairly. Despite the ongoing exercise, 263 Right of Way claimants and 35 Omission claimants have yet to file for compensation, citing discrepancies in their names and bank account details.

Only 16 payments failed due to these discrepancies, but efforts are being made to resolve them and ensure affected beneficiaries receive their dues. This compensation mechanism has been employed in numerous infrastructure projects across Nigeria, with state and federal governments setting aside funds to aid affected landowners and residents.